The Word Up Project: Level Green
Unit 4 - The Ballad of Ron and John
4A Introduction
This song tells a kind of fairy tale about two princes who hate each other. The princes fight a war for
many years. In fact, they fight for so many years that eventually they can’t remember why they are
fighting. What happens in the end? Unfortunately, this fairy tale might not end happily ever after.
4B Song Lyrics
Once upon a time, far away some place,
Two princes got up in each other’s face.
Sir John hated Sir Ron and so he vowed,
And promised to fight him ‘till he was in the ground.
Sir Ron, in turn, loathed Sir John,
Hated him like Eminem hates his mom.
They were treacherous, neither one could be trusted,
Ron would give you hot dogs and steal the mustard.
That provoked, brought about a response from John,
Who hit Ron’s arm hard like a ping-pong ball.
Ron retaliated, got back at him fast,
Broke his arm, now Sir John’s wearing a cast.
But this wasn’t the last; there were subsequent fights,
More that came after, so for hundreds of nights,
There was a siege on Ron’s castle,
John surrounded it, and attacked it from every angle.
I’ve seen fire, and I’ve seen rain,
I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain,
But it seems to me, there just might be a way…
Now this is fishy like halibut, a trick that was elaborate,
Worked out with great care and detail.
John rolled a rock to collide with Ron’s car,
Hit the side and hoped he died.
But Ron found sanctuary in a sanctuary,
Found safety in a holy room, you know me? Good.
Then Ron decided to do the same thing,
He launched a series of operations, a campaign.
Then he did something severe and drastic,
Launched bombs to attack, John launched bombs back.
They didn’t think about the effect or consequence
Of their actions, so guess what happened?
The end seems inevitable, sure to occur,
Ron and John both died, but why?
Before you find yourself in this kind of predicament,
This bad situation, you better think on it…
Hook
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Unit 4
campaign / collide / consequence / drastic / elaborate / inevitable / loathe / predicament / provoke / retaliate / sanctuary / siege / subsequent / treacherous / vow
4C Words Defined
Below you’ll find each vocabulary word that was used in the song. Each word is followed by the part
of speech, a simple definition and a meaningful sentence. Some words will also have synonyms,
antonyms and other forms of the word listed.
1. campaign
(noun)
a series of operations to accomplish a goal
Some of the boys at our school began a campaign for the right to wear shorts all year long.
Synonyms: movement, crusade, operation
2. collide
to crash into
(verb)
Sometimes two cars collide in the student parking lot after school when everyone is in a hurry to
leave.
Antonyms: to avoid, dodge
Other forms: There was a fatal head-on collision (noun) on the two-lane country road.
3. consequence
(noun)
the outcome, result, or effect
One consequence of dieting is having to buy new clothes.
4. drastic
(adj)
extreme, severe
Amber’s drastic mood change signaled to her parents that she and her boyfriend were fighting again.
Antonyms: mild, modest, slight
5. elaborate
(adj)
worked out with great care and attention to detail
Simone’s sixteenth birthday party was so elaborate that her mom hired an event planner.
Synonyms: complicated, intricate
Other Forms: Elaborate is also a verb meaning “to expand or add to,” as in: Timothy tried to elaborate
on his description of the suspect so that the police could draw an accurate sketch of him.
6. inevitable
(adj)
unavoidable and necessary
Once the pilot knew that he couldn’t gain control of the spiraling plane, it was inevitable that it would
crash into the mountainside.
Synonyms: certain, destined
7. loathe
(verb)
to feel intense hate for
I loathe people who are cruel to animals.
Synonyms: to hate, despise, detest
Other forms: The pile of dead bodies was a loathsome (adj) sight for the detectives.
8. predicament
(noun)
a difficult situation
Brandi found herself in quite a predicament when she said yes to two different boys to be their date to
the prom.
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The Word Up Project: Level Green
9. provoke
to enrage or stir up
(verb)
Callie tried to provoke her little brother by taking all of his toy cars and putting them on a shelf high
up, where he couldn’t reach them.
Synonyms: to anger, aggravate
10. retaliate
to get even; to do something to get revenge
(verb)
When that kid hit me in the arm, I had to use all my self-control not to retaliate.
Other forms: Spitting on my feet was his form of retaliation (noun).
11. sanctuary
(noun)
1. a sacred or holy place 2. a safe place
1. The minister told me to light candles in the sanctuary. 2. To Terry, her garden was her sanctuary.
12. siege
(noun)
a long fight, especially the surrounding of a city
The siege on the city of Fallujah lasted nearly 40 days.
Other forms: Besiege is a verb meaning “to attack”. We besieged city hall at the start of the
revolution.
13. subsequent
(adj)
following in order; next
Subsequent to their arrival at the airport, they rented a car and started to sightsee.
Antonyms: former, previous, prior
Other forms: Subsequent is often used as an adverb, subsequently. The bear found food and
subsequently found a place to nap.
14. treacherous
(adj)
1. not to be trusted; dishonest 2. dangerous and hazardous
Barney’s treacherous friend often lied to him about why he couldn’t hang out with him. The explorers
had a treacherous climb to the peak of the mountain.
15. vow
(verb)
to promise or pledge
The groom vowed to help his wife clean the house throughout their marriage.
Synonyms: to promise, assure, swear
Other forms: Vow is also a noun meaning “a promise,” as in: Her vow to her husband was to never
turn off the television when he was watching sports.
4D Fix the Mistake
Each of the sentences below has a mistake. The wrong vocabulary words have been used, so the
sentences don’t make sense. Rewrite each sentence using the correct vocabulary word from this unit.
1.
Jenny provoked that she would not tell anyone her best friend’s secret.
2.
Benedict Arnold, a traitor, is well known for his subsequent behavior in the American
Revolutionary War.
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Unit 4
campaign / collide / consequence / drastic / elaborate / inevitable / loathe / predicament / provoke / retaliate / sanctuary / siege / subsequent / treacherous / vow
3.
When Diego ran for student body president, his mom served as his sanctuary manager.
4.
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The consequence at Yorktown resulted in Britain surrendering to the Continental Army.
5.
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The two Yankee outfielders failed to communicate with one another, so instead of catching the
fly ball, they retaliated.
6.
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It was drastic that LeBron James would be selected first in the NBA draft, since he was the
best high school basketball player in the country.
7.
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Stephanie did not invite the students that she provoked to her Sweet Sixteen birthday bash.
8.
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Rosa made a subsequent dress for her friend out of seashells carefully stitched together.
9.
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The siege for failing Ms. Watson’s reading class is having to attend summer school.
10.
11.
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After Lexington and Concord, there were predicament shots fired between the
Red Coats and Americans.
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The identical twins dressed treacherously different every day so that everyone could
easily tell them apart.
12.
13.
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The inexperienced boxer found himself in a campaign when Oscar de la Hoya pinned him up against the ropes in the corner of the boxing ring.
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The U.S. embassy in Fiji served as a predicament for American tourists when Fiji’s government was overthrown by its own military.
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The Word Up Project: Level Green
14.
Throughout our country’s history there are examples of Americans colliding wars with
various Native American tribes.
15.
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The theme of Carrie Underwood’s song is elaboration; it’s all about getting even.
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4E Pick the Winner
Circle the word that best fits into the sentence. Then write a sentence below that uses the word you
didn’t pick in a meaningful way.
1.
I put myself in a difficult (siege OR predicament) when I waited until the night before my project was due to start working on it.
2.
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3.
(Drastic OR Subsequent) weather conditions kept us from getting to enjoy the rides at Disneyland.
4.
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5.
Bradley (retaliated OR vowed) that he would pay me back the five dollars I loaned him.
6.
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7.
The mayor’s political (sanctuary OR campaign) was more expensive than he anticipated.
8.
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9.
It was (inevitable OR elaborate) that Jenna would get a new puppy for her birthday; her parents gave her everything she asked for.
10.
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4F Draw the Relationship
In each grouping of eight words below, draw straight lines between the synonyms (words that mean
similar things) and squiggly lines between any antonyms (words that mean nearly opposite things).
Every word should have at least one line connected to it. Some may have more.
loyal
1
drastic
severe
predicament
siege
attack
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treacherous
tough situation
Unit 4
campaign / collide / consequence / drastic / elaborate / inevitable / loathe / predicament / provoke / retaliate / sanctuary / siege / subsequent / treacherous / vow
like
2
3
4
loathe
campaign
operation
get back at
later
subsequent
retaliate
outcome
sanctuary
collide
smash together
cause
provoke
place of safety
consequence
simple
disloyal
treacherous
vow
pledge
bound to happen
elaborate
inevitable
4G Understanding What You Read
Read the passage below. Then answer the questions.
After the colonists signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, they found
themselves in a bit of a predicament. The individuals who signed the Declaration were
breaking their vow of loyalty to King George III of England. Consequently, in the eyes of King
George, they were traitors to the English crown. Colonists, however, argued that the Declaration
was inevitable. King George hadn’t been giving the colonists what they needed for a long time,
and they had complained to him again and again.
Some of the actions of King George had caused a group of colonists to loathe the King
and his government’s policies. They also argued that people have the right to overthrow a
government if they feel that the government is not protecting the natural rights of its people.
The Declaration itself proved that the colonists were willing to take drastic measures to get
their freedom. If this meant forming a whole new country, then so be it.
When word of the Declaration reached England, it provoked King George’s anger.
As an act of retaliation, The King decided to launch an elaborate military campaign in the
colonies. The purpose of the campaign was to squash the revolution. The King wouldn’t just
let his colonial empire go without putting up a strong fight. It wasn’t long before the two
armies collided, and a full-fledged war had begun. Siege after siege occurred and the fighting
continued for five long years.
England almost won the war at many different points during the first few years, but
the Americans were able to win in the end, mostly thanks to three things. First was the great
military leadership of George Washington. Second was the hit-and-run fighting tactics that
the Americans used against the huge British army. And third was a vow from France to help
the Americans. By winning the war, Americans officially gained their independence and the
United States of America was born. The soldiers who fought in the battles were thought of as
traitors by the British, but were called brave patriots in America. What do you think? Were they
treacherous and disloyal to Britain, or did they have good reason to fight?
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The Word Up Project: Level Green
1. According to the text, the colonists wanted
(A) the colonies to remain under the rule of the King, but with some new laws
(B) to end of the tea tax
(C) retaliation after the Boston Massacre
(D) to start a new country separate from England
2. According to the text, what was inevitable?
(A) forming an army
(B) electing George Washington as President
(C) declaring independence
(D) giving in to the King
3. According to the text
(A) Britain nearly won the war
(B) the Colonists lost the war
(C) the Americans lost the war
(D) King George came to the colonies with his army
4. Which of the following statements is NOT supported by facts from the reading passage?
(A) The Declaration of Independence was signed in the year 1776.
(B) England was a sanctuary for colonists.
(C) King George was upset to hear that the colonies were splitting from England.
(D) George Washington was a good military leader.
5. The passage ends with a question to the reader. The goal of this question is most likely to
(A) get more information for the author
(B) get readers to form their own opinions
(C) show that the British were treacherous
(D) ask whether or not the British were treacherous
4H Thinking Creatively
Answer each question below. Don’t be afraid to think creatively.
1. Describe a time when you witnessed treacherous behavior.
If a computer game was called Siege of the Stars what do you think it would be about?
2.
3.
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If you were in charge of a U.S. Presidential campaign what sort of things would you include in your campaign to get people to listen to and vote for your candidate?
4.
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What food item(s) do you loathe the most? (Don’t be afraid to creatively combine some of your least favorites into your own new and unique food group)
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Unit 4
campaign / collide / consequence / drastic / elaborate / inevitable / loathe / predicament / provoke / retaliate / sanctuary / siege / subsequent / treacherous / vow
5.
Why do you think the words “retaliate” and “revenge” both start with the prefix “re?”
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Word Breakdown
We can break down the word elaborate to see where it comes from. There are three parts: e
– labor – ate. The “e” makes the rest of the word more intense; it’s known as an intensifier.
Usually it does this with an “x,” as in: extreme, extraordinary, excellent. The middle part,
“labor,” means “work.” That’s what it means in both Latin and English. And the “ate” means
“to do,” as in: medicate or educate. So according to our breakdown, the word elaborate means
doing intense work. This is very close to its definition today. If you do something elaborately,
with a lot of care, you’re doing intense work.
The rapper Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest uses this word in his own way. On a love song
called “Bonita Appelbuam,” Q-Tip tells a girl, “If only I could see through your elaborate eyes.”
He’s probably playing on that old saying: The eyes are the windows to the soul.
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